If you’re struggling to get your B2B / commercial writing business off the ground, this episode is for you.
I detail my seven steps for launching a successful freelance writing or copywriting business quickly and more safely.
The notes that follow are a very basic, unedited summary of the show. There’s a lot more detail in the audio version. You can listen to the show using the audio player below. Or you can subscribe to this podcast series in iTunes.
Step 1: Decide on your positioning.
- What you do
- For whom
- What makes you different
- Why that difference matters
The four dimensions to consider when thinking about potential target markets:
#1: Your background, experience, passions, skills and talents
#2: Your network
#3: Do they need to explain and market their products or services?
#4: Would you enjoy the people you’d be working with and the topics you’d be writing about?
Step 2: Write your website copy.
You need the following pages:
- Home
- Why Me
- Services
- Samples
- Bio
- Contact Me
Step 3: Get your website LIVE!
- Consider using a website builder to start (such as Squarespace)
- Remember: This will be your FIRST iteration; it won’t be perfect!
Step 4: Update your LinkedIn profile using your new web copy
- Gives you more credibility as you start prospecting
- Gives you more practice on how to talk about yourself and what you do
- Tons of prospective clients search LinkedIn looking for freelancers to hire. But don’t use it as a crutch. You still have to prospect!
Step 5: Tap your network
- 30% or more of the time your first client will come from this group
- More than likely this first client will be someone who knows someone
- Use email and phone to contact them
Step 6: Make a list of 10 cold and random prospects in your target market
- Target them with a warm email
- Don’t try to create a large list before you start prospecting
- Do this in groups of 10
Step 7: Create another list of 10 cold and random prospects in your target market.
- Rinse and repeat
- You’ll get the hang of it quickly
Final Tip: Having trouble deciding on your target market/niche?
- Start somewhere
- The path will become clear once you start taking action
- Focus on stair-stepping your way to success, not on a windfall
Tired of doing this all on your own?
Need a clear path for getting results faster, landing your first few clients… and showing everyone (including yourself!) that you can do this?
Here’s how we could work together to make that happen.
